Safety region and municipalities launch campaign: 'Stay Safe for 72 Hours in Emergencies'

Veiligheidsregio Zuid-Limburg

What do you do if you are without power or drinking water for three days? Safety Region South Limburg, together with the sixteen South Limburg municipalities, is launching a regional campaign to help residents prepare for such situations.

If you follow three steps, you can stay safe for 72 hours. The campaign is aligned with the national "Think Ahead" campaign.

Due to factors such as climate change, pressure on the power grid, and geopolitical tensions, the likelihood of prolonged outages is increasing. In such situations, emergency services are often overwhelmed. Those who can manage for 72 hours not only help themselves but also free up resources for those in dire need.

Léon Houben, Director of the Veiligheidsregio Zuid-Limburg (Safety Region South Limburg) and Commander of the South Limburg Fire Brigade: "A major power outage may seem unlikely, but it could happen tomorrow. We are preparing internally to ensure our services continue. But it is crucial that residents do the same to help themselves and their loved ones."

Prepared in three steps

Preparing for an emergency is not difficult. In three simple steps, you can take control when a crisis occurs:

Assemble an emergency kit. Ensure you can stay safe at home for 72 hours with enough water, non-perishable food, lighting, a charged power bank, a first aid kit, cash, warm blankets, and copies of important documents.
Create an emergency plan. Agree at home on what to do in emergencies: where important items are, who takes care of whom, where to meet, and how to stay in contact.
Talk about it. Share with neighbours, friends, or family that you are prepared and ask whether they are also prepared for emergencies. Together, you are stronger.

Campaign 'Stay Safe for 72 Hours in Emergencies'

Thinking ahead and preparing is what it's all about. Ensure that you can stay safe for 72 hours in emergency situations. In the next few months, municipalities and the Safety Region South Limburg will widely promote this campaign. Residents of South Limburg will notice the campaign everywhere: through leaflets, social media, flyers, posters, on the streets, at meetings, on the radio... This way, residents receive accessible information and concrete advice to be well prepared.

Hans Verheijen, Mayor of Sittard-Geleen and Chairman of the Administrative Advisory Committee on Crisis Management & Disaster Response of VRZL: "The Safety Region keeps emergency services operational, even during power outages. We urge our residents to prepare themselves, so that they stay safe at home. It's not difficult, but it is necessary. You may already have many emergency supplies at home, so check them. And download the Zuidlimburgveilig app for important information and tips."

Download the Zuidlimburgveilig app for incidents

The Zuidlimburgveilig app can be vital during a disaster or crisis. Through this app provided by the Safety Region South Limburg, you receive immediate notifications and advice during incidents in your area. For example, if a fire breaks out nearby releasing a lot of smoke, the app will immediately tell you whether to close your windows and doors.

Use the app in emergencies

Even during prolonged power outages, floods, or other emergencies, you will find practical tips to protect yourself and your family, both before and during an emergency. A significant advantage: the information on the "Stay Safe for 72 Hours" page and all "What to Do" pages remain available offline once you have installed the app. Even in the event of a power outage or when the mobile network is down, you can still read the information as long as your device has enough battery capacity.

Download the app now and set your notification preferences. Check out the "Stay Safe for 72 Hours" page on the internet and learn how you can prepare (you will find a Google Translate option in the menu). What you do today makes us stronger tomorrow.

As an extra service, in cooperation with Buddy System Sittard-Geleen, local news is being translated for the many expats living in Sittard-Geleen and surroundings.

Als extra service worden, in samenwerking met Buddy System Sittard-Geleen, nieuwsberichten vertaald voor de vele expats in de gemeente.

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